587 



gone on in earlier epochs of the earth's existence, before man trod 

 upon its surface, and claimed dominion over the surrounding crea- 

 tion." Mr. Henfrey then enters more fully upon his task, and the 

 second and third chapters of the volume are devoted to a considera- 

 tion of the operation of general and special influences on the distri- 

 bution of plants. To the class of general influences are referred 

 all those conditions which, as he well says, " allow of particular 

 conditions of vegetation in different regions ;" to the class of special 

 influences belong those " circumstances which cause the peculiar ve- 

 getation of particular places." Under the former class are comprised 

 the influences of temperature, elevation, the winds, ocean currents, 

 light, moisture, soil, and climate ; to the latter are referred areas of 

 distribution, the diffusion and limitation of species by physiological, 

 physical, and animal agencies, and the geological modification of 

 areas of distribution. This is followed by a general consideration of 

 the characteristics of the countries of Europe, and a separate exami- 

 nation of the natural provinces into which Europe may be divided, 

 according to the views of Professor Schouw, as developed in his 

 ' Sketch of the Physical Geography of Europe.' 



In the chapter on the British Islands, the author has largely availed 

 himself of the labours of Mr. H. C. Watson, the merits of whose great 

 work on the distribution of British plants — the ' Cybele Britannica'— 

 are not yet so fully known and appreciated among botanists as they 

 deserve to be, or as they certainly will be hereafter. The published 

 works of other botanists have supplied materials for the chapters on 

 the floral conditions of the Continental countries ; and if the style of 

 the work be occasionally rather loose and unconnected, it perhaps is 

 so rather in consequence of the materials being derived from so many 

 sources, than of any fault in the author, who has, it seems to us, well 

 succeeded in his task, notwithstanding the difficulties which he had 

 to encounter. " Many men many minds" is an old adage; and to 

 bring the labours of these minds into union is beyond the power 

 of man. Of these difficulties, and of the somewhat fragmentary 

 character thereby impressed upon the work, Mr. Henfrey himself 

 seems to be fully aware, since he tells us that " the present volume is 

 to be regarded merely as a sketch or rough draft, in which the prin- 

 cipal results of past investigation are for the first time brought toge- 

 ther into one view." We could have wished that the authorities 

 whence the information has been derived had been more frequently 

 indicated : Siium cuique iribuito is a wholesome axiom which in 

 book-making should never be lost sight of. 



